Tag: NAF airstrikes

No fewer than 592 terrorists have been killed, and 372 assets destroyed in several airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in the past eight months, in the North East.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, revealed this on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, in Maiduguri.

He said, “This year, our air war is faster, sharper, and more surgical. We are taking out high-value targets, crippling their logistics, and hunting down every cell that threatens the peace of the North-East.”

Air Marshal Abubakar said the feat against the terrorists was achieved through an upgraded fleet and precision night-strike capabilities, executing 798 combat sorties that clocked over 1,500 operational flight hours in the North East theatre of operation.

The NAF Chief further revealed that the offensive had been boosted by the deployment of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, capable of precision and night missions, Mi-171 helicopters for medical evacuation and logistics, and enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms for round-the-clock target tracking.

Read Also: NAF airstrikes eliminate over 100 bandits in Zamfara forests

He added that a new Mi-35 gunship was expected to further intensify close air support for ground troops in the theatre.

According to him, the operations had crippled terrorist mobility and logistics by destroying 206 technical vehicles and 166 key logistics hubs deep in the battlefield.

“From Gonori to Rann, Dikwa to Damboa, Azir to Mallam Fatori, NAF airpower has pounded terrorist strongholds with coordinated day-and-night operations, delivering devastating strikes in some of the most difficult terrain,” he said.

The NAF chief commended several initiatives of the Borno State Government, including the ‘Borno Model’, a community-driven, non-kinetic engagement combined with decisive military action, which experts have deemed a winning formula in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign.

“We are winning this war in the air, on the ground, and in the hearts of the people,” assured.

He reassured that NAF operations were as much about protecting civilians and destroying enemy capabilities.

In his remarks, Governor Zulum commended the NAF for its sustained air support in degrading terrorist capabilities and protecting communities.

He said, “The Nigerian Air Force has been a steadfast partner in our fight against insurgency.

“Your operations have saved countless lives and allowed our communities to begin rebuilding. The people of Borno State recognise your sacrifices and stand firmly behind you.”

The Nation reports that the NAF has also achieved significant success recently in Zamfara State, where its airstrikes eliminated over 400 bandits in the area.

Air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets have killed terrorists and their foot soldiers in the Tumbuns area of the Lake Chad Basin.

The strikes also destroyed the terrorists’ food depot during the operation that was conducted on November 23,

NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, announced this in a statement on Monday, November 25.

According to the NAF spokesman, the operation’s success was made possible by extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted over several days, confirming the presence of active terrorist structures camouflaged under dense vegetation.

Akinboyewa said: “This strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts, served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters.

Read Also: NAF airstrikes destroy terrorist food depot, kill scores in Lake Chad

“Intelligence had previously linked terrorists in this location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on 16 November 2024.

“In response, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets launched a robust air interdiction mission, destroying identified structures used as storage facilities and neutralising terrorists on-site. Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements.

“The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations, while the neutralization of a significant number of fighters diminished their capacity to launch future attacks.”

Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircrafts have killed several terrorists in Kaduna.

The strikes were conducted on July 12 and 13 in a hideout of a terrorist kingpin, Alhaji Layi, situated in Kufan Shantu vllage in Giwa Local Government Area and terrorists’ camps inside Malum Forest in Igabi Local Government Area.

NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, announced this in a statement on Sunday, July 14.

Gabkwet said several terrorists observed within Alhaji Layi’s enclave were eliminated and their thatched roofed huts burned down by the strikes.

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He said the terrorists logistics tucked situated under thick foliage were also destroyed.

The NAF’s spokesperson said battle damage assessment footage from the strikes in Malum Forest revealed the terrorists freely loitering around the forest at a compound with zinc-roofed structures.

He said: “Subsequently, a precision strike was authorized, which eliminated most of the terrorists.

“These air strikes were initiated following thorough credible Human Intelligence, along with Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance operations, which identified the targeted locations as enclaves of terrorists responsible for the ambush on troops at Manini on July 10.”

Airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets have killed several terrorists near Degbewa and Chinene in Borno State.

The airstrikes also destroyed several terrorists’ structures in the two terrorist hideouts in the Mandara mountain.

NAF spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet announced this in a statement on Thursday, July 4. He said the airstrikes were conducted on July 3.

The air interdiction came five days after suicide attacks killed 32 people and injured 52 others in Gwoza in Borno State.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had vowed its troops would ‘stop at nothing’ to take out the terrorists responsible for the attacks.

Read Also: NAF airstrikes destroy illegal oil refining sites

Gabkwet said the air strikes became expedient after several days of aerial surveillance over Chinene and Degbewa that revealed “a consistent gathering of a large number of terrorists in the area also suspected to be sites for manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices and storage area.” 

He said: “The terrorists were also observed to be loitering within the vicinity, clearly oblivious of what was to befall them, and probably confident that their location was safe and secured from any form of military bombardments.

“The airstrikes were thus authorized with the aircraft bombarding the locations in several passes until the majority of the terrorists were eliminated. Others observed fleeing the location were taken out using canons.”